Percutaneous heartworm removal from dogs with severe heart worm (Dirofilaria immitis) infestation
Journal of Veterinary Science
;
: 197-202, 2008.
Article
in English
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-75535
ABSTRACT
Canine heart worm disease is often life-threatening due to its various complications, including right side heart failure, caval syndrome and pulmonary eosinophilic granulomatosis. Several preventive medications and melarsomine have been developed and they are very effective to control heartworm infestation. However, in a case of severe infestation, melarsomine therapy often results in an unfavorable outcome because of the severe immune reaction caused by rapid killing of the adult worm. Surgical removal and an interventional method using flexible alligator forceps have been well described in the literature. Despite the usefulness of mechanical removal using flexible alligator forceps, the methodology still needs to be upgraded for increasing the applicability for treating dogs with severe infestation. We describe herein a newly developed percutaneous removal method for heartworms and this was successfully applied to 4 dogs with severe heartworm infestation. The follow-up studies also showed favorable outcomes with no complications.
Full text:
Available
Index:
WPRIM (Western Pacific)
Main subject:
Surgical Instruments
/
Catheterization
/
Echocardiography
/
Fluoroscopy
/
Thoracic Surgical Procedures
/
Dirofilaria immitis
/
Dirofilariasis
/
Dog Diseases
/
Electrocardiography
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Limits:
Animals
Language:
English
Journal:
Journal of Veterinary Science
Year:
2008
Type:
Article
Similar
MEDLINE
...
LILACS
LIS